This Saturday is my Alive Day.
On September 19, 2010, I stepped on an IED while serving in Afghanistan. I lost both legs and a finger. I nearly lost my life. The road back was long, but I came home with something even stronger than before: a responsibility to make every day count.
An Alive Day is not a celebration of what was taken. It is gratitude for the life that remains and a reminder that service does not end when the uniform comes off.
That is the standard I carried into Congress: service before self.
Service before self is why I fought for cleaner water and fewer harmful discharges into the St. Lucie River.
Service before self is why we secured a new $78.9 million grant to replace the century-old St. Lucie River railroad bridge, raising its closed clearance from 6.5 feet to about 17.75 feet so more than 90 percent of vessels can pass without waiting.
Service before self is why I opened the first congressional office inside a VA medical facility, and why I introduced legislation to make this proven model available to veterans across the country.
I was given another chance at life sixteen years ago. I intend to use every day of it fighting for the country I love and the community I am honored to serve.
Help us finish the mission. Stand with me today and donate to defend Florida’s future.